In World War II, Winston Churchill famously declared that “Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few.” It appears that there may be even fewer to count on if a recent poll out this weekend is accurate. The Quinnipiac University poll asked Americans “what would you do if you were in the same position as Ukrainians are now, stay and fight or leave the country?” Only 55 percent said that they would stay and fight for this country. That included only 40 percent of Democrats. Overall 38 percent of Americans said that they would flee. It appears that this country is facing an existential crisis of faith and we should have a frank discussion about why so comparably few Americans are now willing to pledge their lives in defense of this country.
Quinnipiac has long been relied upon in polling in the United States and is one of the most cited polling outfits for the media.
It is important to note that, while the results were shocking overall, many did say that they would stand and defend the United States from any invader. When asked this question 68 percent of Republicans and 57 percent of Independents say that they would fight. However more than half of Democrats (52%) said they would flee before fighting for their country (Eight percent did not have an answer, a shrug that is equally alarming).
As someone who came from a liberal, Democratic family in Chicago, I was shocked by the poll. My father and grandfather fought in the World Wars and everyone I grew up with on the liberal Northside of Chicago was both intensely liberal and intensely patriotic. Indeed, I often heard my parents challenge Republican friends for suggesting that conservatives were more patriotic or more willing to sacrifice for their country.
For my maternal Sicilian family, they felt a deep bond to the country that took them in and allowed them to live in freedom. Despite the prejudice that they encountered and difficult times, my Sicilian grandparents celebrated Independence Day like a religious holiday and often discussed their pride when they became American citizens. My grandfather was a union organizer and a coal miner who developed black lung in the mines of Ohio. He could not read or write but he could proudly recite parts of the Declaration of Independence and our national anthem.
We should be alarmed by this poll because it shows a deep disconnection with this country and its protection. If you are not willing to defend this country, citizenship becomes a status of convenience; an opportunistic association that can be shed as easily as it is acquired. It is a commitment that extends little beyond annual tax obligations.
Notably, the poll did not pose a question over what might be viewed as an unjustified war in another land like Vietnam. This question asked about an invasion of our country. Indeed, despite the opposition to Vietnam, many Democrats and liberals still felt obligated to answer the call for service when drafted.
The poll shows a crisis of faith within the Democratic party, but also our country at large. People have lost faith in our common article of faith in the Constitution. That did not occur over night. There have been unrelenting attacks on our institutions and core values for years that ignore our countervailing successes. We have gone through terrible periods and faced terrible institutions and practices from slavery to segregation. However, we faced them as a people united in a common faith captured in the Declaration of Independence:
“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.–That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed…”
We have not always lived up to those principles. Indeed, when those words were written, millions were left in slavery and millions were barred from voting, property ownership. and other basic rights of citizenship. However, we became better than we were due to a faith in ourselves and our common constitutional bound.
This is just one poll and people can have different motivations in answering such questions. However, there was clearly a desire by many to convey this disconnection with the country in their answers that suggest something more than just impish responses.
There has been a growing agnosticism regarding this country as many challenge our foundational institutions and values. It is captured in words of leaders like Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez who questioned the very need for the Supreme Court when it was not ruling in line with her own views: “How much does the current structure benefit us? And I don’t think it does.” That is a worthy debate to have and our Constitution protects all sides in having it. Yet, there is an underlying message that, because our institutions did not produce the results demanded by Ocasio-Cortez, we are told to scrap them.
Elie Mystal, who writes for the Nation and Above the Law, called the Constitution “kind of trash.” In his new book, “Allow Me to Retort: A Black Guy’s Guide to the Constitution,” Mystal says that we should just ignore what the Framers thought or said. When asked “if are you arguing that the Constitution needs to be scrapped altogether?” Mystal said he would be “all for” a move to “throw out” the Constitution. Others, including lawyers, agreed with Mystal and declared “the Constitution is trash.”
It is a crisis of faith shown in academics like Georgetown Professor Eddie Glaude insisting that we need to scrap what we have and be “refounded” rather than “tinker around the edges while people are dying.” He insists that, despite the Civil War, the Civil Rights Movement and anti-discrimination laws, it is hopeless to expect the system to change: “At every moment when a new America seems to be about to be born, the umbilical cord of white supremacy is wrapped around the baby’s neck, choking the life out of it. ”
The curious aspect of such comments is that we are constantly being reborn as a people. Our Constitution created an experiment in self-governance that remains a work in progress. However, it does not guarantee that you simply get what you want or you can “throw out” the Constitution like Mystal’s unwanted trash.
The people of Ukraine have given the world a symbol of defiance and faith. That is a country that has been deeply divided in the past and only gained its independence in 1991. Vladimir Putin clearly counted on many opting to stand aside rather than stand up for their young nation. Instead, opposing parties and leaders stood together and united in their common identity as Ukrainians.
It appears from this poll that many of us have lost that capacity for faith and sacrifice. Many are unwilling to take that same leap of faith in our system and each other.
President John F. Kennedy, a Democrat who was decorated for his bravery in World War II, famously declared in 1961: “Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe to assure the survival and the success of liberty.” The question is whether Americans are willing to answer the same call today.
For what it’s worth – Eddie Glaude is at Princeton…not Georgetown. He spoke at a Georgetown event.
He’s intellectually lazy. Blames everything on “whiteness”. Hitler blamed the Jews and we saw how that turned out.
Here’s a question for blog: who’ll cut and run first, the university professors, the weenies who need “safe” space on campus? Do any of you have a suggestion who’ll cut and run first?
Margot asks:
“Do any of you have a suggestion who’ll cut and run first?”
President “Bone Spurs” Trump who evaded Vietnam. Let’s face facts: not even you could believe that Trump would not flee at the head of the pack.
This comes from a guy whose face is unknown, but everyone recognizes his back.
Her hero hid in a bunker because protesters were too close to the White House.
I love our country. I love the land, the people. I think the Constitution is the most perfect document possible to govern an imperfect people. The Government is none of those things regardless of party. Should the situation arise I wouldn’t lift a finger to defend their unworthy behinds.
“However more than half of Democrats (52%) said they would flee before fighting for their country (Eight percent did not have an answer, a shrug that is equally alarming).
As someone who came from a liberal, Democratic family in Chicago, I was shocked by the poll.”
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See, that’s the problem. There are no more liberal democrats in the Democratic Party. There are radical antiAmerican Maoists or their sycophants trying to hang onto power like Pelosi or members who haven’t gotten the memo yet that the party of their youth vacated the premises. Either way, the former two are the enemies of free men whether the latter ancient regime wants to acknowledge it or not.
I am a little disappointed the numbers across political affiliation are that low.
To those who would run, your true colors are showing.
I for one, would stay, stand and fight.
That low “across the board”? 68 percent of Republicans would fight. That’s damn high.
I would of thought it would of been in the upper 70s or even 80s percent for both Republicans and Independents.
Thinking on it, not really surprised by the Democrats percentage.
Trump calls to dismantle ‘failed foreign policy establishment,’ blames Biden for Russia crisis
“We have a president in the most important time in history that is both physically and mentally challenged,” Trump told a rally in frosty Florence, S.C.
https://justthenews.com/politics-policy/all-things-trump/trump-slams-biden-failed-foreign-policy-establishment-russias?
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It was cold and uncomfortable so no Democrats showed up.
the above was S. Meyer
Its apparent that this country is breeding Democratic views. Its also apparent most of them dont have the balls to fight for anything. They would rather steal it. Fighting is too hard for this new “Liberal America”. Red states will fight. Bring that war to Texas. We will fight.
Yes, I touched on this yesterday. The Greatest Generation and the Baby Boomers wanted so much to give to their children that they spoiled them. They feel entitled, let someone else keep me free and complaining. The mask is off, the true color, suddenly the equity, equality and all that social justice babble is gone.
Margot,
I’m not armed. Would you lend me one of your assault weapons? And some clips of ammunition?
Jeffy says to Margot:
I’m not armed. Would you lend me one of your assault weapons? And some clips of ammunition?
Sorry Jeffy can’t help you with weapon’s, butttt if you take your head out of your asset and stop viewing the blog thru your navel your commentary might be germane to the subject matter. Just sayin Jeffy.
Bravo
Besides he would be better of playing Russian roulette as entertainment than playing with his teeny weeny johnson that hasnt gotten any activity since the Castro gays threw his whiny, queeny arse out of the SF area. Harvey Milk would have helped them
How are we NeverTrumpers going to defend ourselves if you Trumpists won’t lend us some weapons? You don’t want us to stand with you to defend our country from China?
jeffsilberman – if you want a weapon, mug a gang-banger.
So, you want lend me one of yours? Can’t spare one?
Contact your AA sponsor…again. Your spelling mistakes are showing how lit you are
Anonymous – now, now, now, Let’s be nice. English is not jeff’s first language. 😉
jeffsilberman – by ‘lend’ you mean ‘give’ and by NO I mean NO. Mug a gang-banger. Take a risk.
I am risking my life already by residing in a country which if taken over by Trumpism would likely exterminate me as a NeverTrumper.
jeffy boy – if you had any sense you would buy an armored personal carrier to protect your candy ass. 😉
I can afford one, but I don’t think they make an electric one yet.
jeffy boy – steal the gas.
I am an honest guy. I don’t steal. I don’t lie.
jeffy boy – all is fair in love and war.
“In Love, Victory goes to the man who runs away.”
-Napoleon Bonaparte
jeffy boy – then run away!!!! I have been married for over 40 years.
The perfect marriage is like the perfect crime- the perfection being not getting caught…..
jeffy boy – just said I was married for over 40 years, not that it was perfect.
I was making a joke.
jeffy boy – it is NOT a joke if you have to explain that it is a joke.
🙂
Hit the nail on the head.
anonymous – Dying is easy, comedy is hard. W. C. Fields
If you want a gun but want someone else to supply it, all I can imagine is you either want a gun not registered to you for nefarious purposes, or your criminal record prevents you from personally purchasing one.
How did guess?
“How are we NeverTrumpers going to defend ourselves if you Trumpists won’t lend us some weapons?”
We will dip you in chocolate and feed you to the lesbians. They are fierce chicks…
then there is ewe
🐑 🐑 🐑
Assault weapons would still leave Jeff unarmed. He doesn’t have what it takes to be a man.
I share Professor Turley’s disappointment in his fellow Americans as well as in the Democrat party. The lack of loyalty and sense of duty to this country I can understand if I try. No matter how hard I try, however, I will never understand anyone’s failure to stand and defend the right of humanity to live in freedom. That failure, I think, is our real problem. Not only are so many of us unwilling to defend that right, they are actively throwing it away for the short-term joys of censorship, repression and regimentation. The fact that the party of JFK today revels, not only in the denial of liberty to anyone who disagrees, but praises those who want to burn it all down makes this once very strong Democrat want to puke. These are not healthy, strong human beings but pale, sick, cowardly imitations thereof. To the extent that they are destroyed by their own actions and inactions, I am gratified. When they actively seek to destroy the rights of others to live in freedom, however, they release me from my duty to them as fellow Americans and become my sworn enemies.
“As someone who came from a liberal, Democratic family in Chicago, I was shocked by the poll.”
I think it is time for Professor Turley to recognize the Democrat Party of today has shed its belief in the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence “ We hold these truths to be … “
Can we fake an invasion and watch them flee? We could even help them get to Cuba or Venezuela where they can experience first hand what they desire and wish for all of us.
…and Nancy, Hunter and Joe, Chuck, etc. are lining their pockets on the way out.
if enemies of America….get money they sell out the country….ask the clintons(all should be indicted), bidens(all should be in jail decades ago), pelosis(son indicted, husband trades inside info), Kerry(stepson chris eg) etc
Democrats hate America. With Every election…many of them say they are leaving the USA when they lose. Democrats HATE everything about America….but the MONEY! That is why DC and NYC and Silicon valley are FILLED with hate filled Democrats….stealing to GET RICH…while Hating everything the USA represents!
Time to cut 50% of DC federal government! Move 40% to the heartland.
Also a 5% TAX on the gross value of every financial transaction….stocks, bonds, derivatives, commodities, movement of money off shore, etc. Make Investing about investing…like the relator fee most people pay when buying a house they will live in for 10 or 20 years! Today’s Wall Street is a just a Federal Reserve based Casino…with the most corrupt banks, billionaires, brokers…getting bailed out for high risk failures…with infinite custom purchased tax code loopholes decade after decade!
Pledge your life on behalf of the rich and corporations who treat you like dirt every day of your life. Put your life on the line for the politicians who smile to your face while they piss on your leg. Sacrifice life and limb for our free press which are free to produce a steady stream of lies, strong enough to provoke WWIII. Ask not what your country can do for you. Ask what your country has done TO you.
I liked Karl Marx’s wording better than yours.
mespo – Karl Marx was a better writer than Hitler and both were better than Che Guevera.
My first thought was, where the hell would those people go, followed by who would even take them in?
You are right on all counts. Responses and attitudes like these do not bode well for the Republic..The political culture of the country does appear to be unraveling
“[W]here the hell would those people go . . .”
To the Arctic. They can play with the polar bears.
Remember, this is a poll.
People could have lied, but they chose cowardice.
Conservatives have lamented for many years that lefty policies would emasculate the country.
Next time one of our resident lefties posts, we will know that there is a more than 50% chance that he is a coward.
Liberals are gutless as we all know. This poll does not surprise me a bit.
Did the poll adjust for gender? Many women and children are fleeing in Ukraine (not all). But there are more women in the Democratic Party than the Republican one.
We all knew the radical Democrats were lying, cowards hellbent to destroy the country didn’t we? Now we have the numbers. Republicans and independents would overwhelmingly fight. Our Dim Fifth Column of globalists not so much. Maybe a clue on how to vote in November and every November. Nothing worse than a coward. Nothing.